I have just completed my first half marathon and did much better than I had figured I would do.  I started off with four goals.  The first was just to finish and to finish without walking.  I completed this goal, although I did slow and speed up at various times.  My second goal was to beat the marathon runners to the finish line.  I reached this goal and was getting something to eat when the marathon winner was announced on the stadium's PA system.  I was very sure I was going to accomplish these first two goals, but the next two I did not have a clear idea since I had never ran a half marathon race before.  My third goal was to finish the half marathon in under two hours.  To do this, I would have to run at a 9:09 per mile pace.  I had planned on starting off around 9:30 per mile for the first mile or two and then pick up the pace from there.  I changed this plan and planned on following the 4 hour pace team members.  I followed them for the first two miles and then paced them while going around some curves.  I never saw them from the point.  I ended up completing the half marathon in 1:57:42.  While doing this, I accomplished my last goal of averaging under 9:00 per mile.  I averaged 8:59/mile.

With the race being over, I am very excited and waiting for my next half marathon on February 11, 2007.  However, one day after the race, I am a bit tired and sore.  Most every muscle from my waist to my toes are tired and/or sore.  I will take a day or two off and then hit the pool to loosen up.  And then it will be time to start working on getting ready for Mercedes.